Joseph V. Crockett, veteran
educator and scholar,
to lead NCC Education and Leadership MinistriesSeptember
27, 2012, New York - The Rev. Dr. Joseph V. Crockett, director of scholarly
projects for the American Bible Society, has been named associate general
secretary of the National Council of Churches Education and Leadership
Ministries.

Dr. Crockett, a United Methodist elder, will maintain
both positions by special agreement of the American Bible Society and the
NCC.

He was elected to the NCC post by the NCC governing board
during its meeting in New York September 17 and 18.

In a letter introducing himself to the NCC governing board, Crockett said, "It
seems as though my entire life journey – formation by family and church,
education, professional resume and social networks – has prepared me for
work with the NCC as a catalyst for Christian education and advocate for
public education."

He said he counted it a privilege to
serve the NCC "and I already feel part of the transforming process. I look forward to meeting and learning from
you about your journey and interests and the call of God upon your life. Until then, may you
enjoy the inexhaustible riches of God – steadfast mercy, peace that surpasses understanding, and unconditional
love."

Dr. Crockett succeeds the Rev. Garland Pierce, who
resigned as associate general secretary in 2011 to accept a position as
special assistant to the general secretary of the World
Council of Churches.

Joseph V. Crockett earned his
doctorate degree in Counseling and Human Development from the University
of Rochester,
Rochester,
NY.
Celebrating 30 years of ordination in the UnitedMethodistChurch,
he has worked as a youth minister, pastor, curriculum and reference book
editor, and seminary teacher.

His research, writings and product development have
focused on individuals and congregations use of Scripture in everyday
situations.

The NCC's Education and
Leadership Ministries Commission traces its roots to the formation of the
American Sunday School Association in 1824. The Commission's predecessor
became a charter member of the International Council of Religious Education
in 1922 and was a founding member of the National Council of Churches in
1950.

Throughout its history , the Education and Leadership
Ministries Commission has incorporated in its work congregational Christian
education, higher education, ministry concerns and biblical translation.

Overall direction for the
Education and Leadership Ministries Commission is provided by the Program
Commission, representing 27 denominations.

ELMC has 15 program committees working in diverse areas
of educational ministry. They represent the work that the denominations do
together to support local congregations in educational ministry. The board's
committees are working groups that generate materials for church education
leaders, plan training events, and provide an ecumenical forum for
inter-denominational exchange and planning.

"Joseph Crockett joins the National Council of Churches at a key point in
its transformation and reorganization," said Kathryn M. Lohre, NCC
president. "The mission of the ELMC is a key component of our history and our
future in ecumenical cooperation. We are grateful to have a leader of his
background and caliber on our staff team."

The Rev. Dr. Daryl B.
Ingram,Executive
Director, African Methodist Episcopal Church Department of Christian
Education in Nashville,
is chair of the Education and Leadership Ministries Commission.

The transformation and reorganization of the Council is
proceeding under the leadership of Transitional General Secretary Peg Birk.

Dr. Crockett is married to Renée
Guy Crockett; the father of two sons and one daughter: John-Thomas, James
Weldon and Portia Simone. He resides in White Plains,
NY.

Since its founding in 1950, the National Council of
the Churches of Christ in the USA has been the leading force for
shared ecumenical witness among Christians in the United States. The NCC's
37 member communions -- from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican,
Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace
churches -- include 40 million persons in more than 100,000 local
congregations in communities across the nation.